NATURAL PARK STRANDZHA: WILL IT BE?

After the passions around NATURA wore off and the demands of the municipalities were
fully satisfied, some of them decided that they are invincible and that they can plunder vast amounts of natural wealth.

For many years the Municipality of Tzarevo advertised itself through Strandzha and promoted its proximity to the mountain with its conserved, almost virginal nature as its biggest advantage before other tourist sea sites. Today that very same Municipality is appealing the court order for establishing the National Park from 1995, and in the name of the raging investment interests on the Southern seaside, is disowning the park.

To legalize the illegitimate construction of the villa resort Golden Pearl near the village of Varvara, Crash 2000 Ltd. is also suing the Ministry of Environment and Waters, since the
rescission of the order for establishing the Park is the only way to circumvent the law and the unappealable decision of the Supreme Administrative Court and finish the construction, which has captured the investments of tens of foreigners.

Will the Ministry of Environment and Waters manage to protect Bulgaria’s largest protected area, or will it once again bend under mighty investment interests?

Will the court judge fairly and righteously in the name of Bulgarian nature?

Will this enchanting mountain lying in the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Caucasus have a chance to save its rare species and please the thousands of tourists who visit it?

We are afraid we might lose it, so on March 19 and 20, from early 9 in the morning, we will be in front of the Supreme Administrative Court. Through our silent presence on St. Nedelia Square we want to ask the magistrates to give Bulgarian nature a chance!

We expect you too! Every person matters! Let’s show that those who care about nature believe that the Bulgarian system of justice will rule in favor of Strandzha so that they stop the investors from devouring the little conserved nature we have left (the 5% protected areas).

P.S If you want to participate in the practical preparations for the event, contribute to the concept, and paint posters and slogans, you can join the voluntary creative group on Saturday, 17.03 at 10.30 on the steps of Sofia University – the main entrance.

For more information:

Radostina Tsenova, Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation, 0888 508 502
Toma Belev, Green Balkans, 0888 100 373
Katerina Rakovska, WWF Danube-Carpathian Program Bulgaria, 02/8656130
Andrey Kovatchev, Balkani Wildlife Society, 0887 788 218
Nadejda Maximova, Let’s Savi Irakli, 0886 511 879